San Luis Rey Mission Trail

San Luis Rey Mission Trail is a 11 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Oceanside, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

DISTANCE

11.0 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

154 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Out & Back

dog friendly

kid friendly

birding

hiking

nature trips

trail running

walking

views

wild flowers

wildlife

This route is proposed as a designated route that would have been used by the mission to travel between Mission San Luis Rey de Francia and Pala, one of its six historic ranches.
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was one of the last of the California Missions to be built and it filled a key gap between San Diego de Alcala and San Juan Capistrano. However the El Camino Real in this area probably lies underneath the highway that bears its name to the south and to the north it lies inaccessible because of the presence of Camp Pendleton.
The San Luis Rey Trail serves as a good alternative because of the natural state of the San Luis Rey river and the abundance of wildlife to be found. In addition this route includes the recovered cisterns for the mission, Heritage Park in Oceanside. At the Guajome terminus, Guajome Park offers camping and an exhibit of plants used by Native Americans. The nearby Rancho Guajome Adobe and Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum also provide a glimpse into California's rich history.